impair

¹ American  

[im-pair] / ɪmˈpɛər /

verb (used with object)

1. to make or cause to become worse; diminish in ability, value, excellence, etc.; weaken or damage.

   to impair one's health;

   to impair negotiations.

   Antonyms:

   repair

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verb (used without object)

1. to grow or become worse; lessen.

noun

1. Archaic. impairment.

impair ² American  

[an-per] / ɛ̃ˈpɛr /

adjective

French.

1. noting any odd number, especially in roulette.

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impair British  

/ ɪmˈpɛə /

verb

1. (tr) to reduce or weaken in strength, quality, etc

   his hearing was impaired by an accident

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Related Words

See injure.

Other Word Forms

• impairable adjective
• impairer noun
• impairment noun
• nonimpairment noun
• preimpairment noun
• self-impairable adjective
• self-impairing adjective
• unimpairable adjective

Etymology

Origin of impair¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English empairen, empeiren “to make worse,” from Middle French empeirer, from em- im- ¹ + peirer “to make worse” (from Late Latin pējōrāre, verb derivative of Latin pējor “worse”; pejoration )

Origin of impair²

First recorded in 1820–30; from French: literally, “odd,” from Latin impār “odd, unequal”; equivalent to im- ² ( def. ) + pair ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

“Supply chain disruptions could increase inflation, tighten credit conditions, and impair earnings, particularly for energy-intensive industries,” they say.

From The Wall Street Journal

When mutations disrupt this channel, pH regulation is impaired.

From Science Daily

“Achieving Victory’s $500 million synergy target will require extensive cuts that will impair the Company’s ability to retain investment professionals and maintain Janus Henderson’s high standards of client service,” Janus says.

From The Wall Street Journal

A 25bps rate cut could reduce sector net profit by about 1.6%, while rising oil prices may lead to higher gross impaired loans, he reckons.

From The Wall Street Journal

"We found that, contrary to popular belief, closing one's eyes actually impairs the ability to detect these sounds," said author Yu Huang.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• blunt
• damage
• debilitate
• decrease
• destroy
• diminish
• hurt
• lessen
• mar
• prejudice
• reduce
• spoil
• tarnish
• undermine
• weaken
• worsen